Muscles of the head. Facial muscles or facial muscles. Great medical encyclopedia Function of the circular muscle of the eye and mouth

There are several well-defined muscles around the opening of the mouth. These muscles include the orbicularis oris, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, mentalis and buccal muscles, levator labii superioris, zygomatic minor and major, levator anguli oris, and the laughter muscle.

The orbicularis oris muscle forms the muscular basis of the upper and lower lips. This muscle consists of the marginal and labial parts, the bundles of which do not have the same orientation.

Edge part(pars marginalis) is a peripheral, wider section of the muscle. This part is formed by muscle bundles that approach the upper and lower lips from other facial muscles closest to the oral opening. The marginal part is formed by bundles of the buccal muscle; muscle that lifts the upper lip; the levator anguli oris muscle; muscle that lowers the lower lip; muscle that depresses the anguli oris, etc.

Labial part(pars labialis) lies in the thickness of the upper and lower lips. Bundles of muscle fibers extend from one corner of the mouth to the other.

Both parts (marginal and labial) of the upper and lower lips are woven into the skin and mucous membrane, and also connect with each other in the area of ​​​​the corners of the mouth and pass from the lower lip to the upper and vice versa.

Function: the orbicularis oris muscle narrows, closes the oral fissure, and is involved in the act of sucking and chewing.

Blood supply: superior and inferior labial and mental arteries.

The depressor anguli oris muscle begins at the base of the lower jaw, between the chin and the level of the first small molar. The fibers of this muscle, converging, pass upward and attach to the skin of the corner of the mouth. At the origin of the depressor anguli oris muscle, some of its bundles are intertwined with the bundles of the subcutaneous muscle of the neck.

Function: pulls the corner of the mouth downward and laterally.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: inferior labial and mental arteries.

The muscle that lowers the lower lip (m.depressor labii inferioris) begins at the base of the lower jaw, below the mental foramen. Partially covered by the depressor anguli oris muscle. The bundles of the muscle that depresses the lower lip pass upward and medially and are attached to the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip.

Function: pulls the lower lip down and somewhat laterally, acting together with the muscle of the same name on the opposite side, it can turn the lip outward; participates in the formation of expressions of irony, sadness, and disgust.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: inferior labial and mental arteries.

The mental muscle (m.mentalis) is represented by a cone-shaped bundle of muscle fibers that begin on the alveolar eminences of the lateral and medial incisors of the lower jaw, pass down and medially, connect with the fibers of the muscle of the same name on the opposite side and are attached to the skin of the chin.

Function: pulls the skin of the chin upward and laterally (dimples appear on the skin); promotes protrusion of the lower lip forward.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: inferior labial and mental arteries.

The buccal muscle (m.buccinator) is thin, quadrangular in shape, and forms the muscular basis of the cheek. It begins on an oblique line on the ramus of the lower jaw and the outer surface of the alveolar arch of the upper jaw at the level of the large molars, as well as on the anterior edge of the pterygomandibular suture, which passes between the lower jaw and the pterygoid hook. The muscle bundles are directed to the corner of the mouth, partially intersect and continue into the thickness of the muscular base of the upper and lower lips. At the level of the upper molar, the muscle is pierced by the parotid duct (duct of the parotid salivary gland).

Function: pulls the corner of the mouth back; presses his cheek to his teeth.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: buccal artery.

The muscle that lifts the upper lip (m. levator labii superioris) begins along the entire infraorbital margin of the upper jaw. The muscle bundles converge downwards and are woven into the thickness of the corner of the mouth and into the wing of the nose.

Function: raises the upper lip; participates in the formation of the nasolabial groove, extending from the lateral side of the nose to the upper lip; pulls the wing of the nose upward.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: infraorbital and superior labial arteries.

The zygomaticus minor muscle (m.zygomaticus minor) begins on the zygomatic bone at the lateral edge of the levator labii superioris muscle. The bundles of the zygomatic minor muscle pass down medially and are woven into the skin of the corner of the mouth.

Function: raises the corner of the mouth.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

The zygomaticus major muscle (m.zygomaticus major) begins on the zygomatic bone and is attached to the corner of the mouth.

Function: pulls the corner of the mouth outward and upward, is the main muscle of laughter.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: infraorbital and buccal arteries.

The muscle that lifts the angle of the mouth (m.levator anguli oris) begins on the anterior surface of the upper jaw in the area of ​​the canine fossa; attached to the corner of the mouth.

Function: pulls the angle of the upper lip upward and laterally.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

Blood supply: infraorbital artery.

The laughter muscle (m.risorius) begins on the masticatory fascia, moves forward and medially, and attaches to the skin of the corner of the mouth. Usually weakly expressed, often absent.

Function: pulls the corner of the mouth laterally, forms a dimple on the cheek.

Innervation: facial nerve (VII).

TO mouth muscles include:

1. M. levator labii superioris, the muscle that lifts the upper lip, starts from the infraorbital edge of the upper jaw and ends mainly in the skin of the nasolabial fold. A bundle splits off from it, going to the wing of the nose and therefore receiving its own name - m. levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. When contracting, it raises the upper lip, deepening the sulcus nasolabialis; pulls the wing of the nose upward, widening the nostrils.
2. M. zygomaticus minor, the zygomatic minor muscle, starts from the zygomatic bone, is woven into the nasolabial fold, which it deepens during contraction.
3. M. zygomaticus major, the zygomaticus major muscle, runs from the facies lateralis of the zygomatic bone to the corner of the mouth and partly to the upper lip. Pulls the corner of the mouth upward and laterally, and the nasolabial fold deepens greatly. With this action of the muscle, the face becomes laughing, so m. The zygomaticus is primarily the muscle of laughter.
4. M. risorius, the muscle of laughter, a small transverse fascicle running towards the corner of the mouth, is often absent. Stretches the mouth when laughing; In some people, due to the attachment of the muscle to the skin of the cheek, when it contracts, a small dimple is formed on the side of the corner of the mouth.
5. M. depressor anguli oris, the depressor anguli oris muscle, begins on the lower edge of the lower jaw lateral to the tuberculum mentale and is attached to the skin of the angle of the mouth and upper lip. Pulls the corner of the mouth downwards and makes the nasolabial fold straight. Lowering the corners of the mouth gives the face an expression of sadness.
6. M. levator anguli oris, the muscle that lifts the angle of the mouth, lies under the m. levator labii superioris, etc. zygomaticus major - originates from fossa canina (which is why it was previously called m. caninus) below the foramen infraorbitale and is attached to the corner of the mouth. Pulls the corner of the mouth upward.
7. M. depressor labii inferioris, muscle that lowers the lower lip. It begins at the edge of the lower jaw and attaches to the skin of the entire lower lip. Pulls the lower lip down and somewhat laterally, as, by the way, is observed during facial expressions of disgust.
8. M. mentalis, the mentalis muscle arises from the juga alveolaria of the lower incisors and canines, and is attached to the skin of the chin. Raises the skin of the chin upward, and small dimples form on it, and moves the lower lip upward, pressing it towards the upper.
9. M. buccinator, the buccal muscle, forms the lateral wall of the oral cavity. At the level of the second upper molar, the duct of the parotid gland, ductus parotideus, passes through the muscle. Outer surface m. buccinator is covered with fascia buccopharyngea, on top of which lies a fatty lump of the cheek. Its beginning is the alveolar process of the upper jaw, the buccal ridge and the alveolar part of the lower jaw, the pterygomandibular suture. Attachment - to the skin and mucous membrane of the corner of the mouth, where it passes into the orbicularis oris muscle. Pulls the corners of the mouth to the sides, presses the cheeks to the teeth, compresses the cheeks, and protects the oral mucosa from biting when chewing.
10. M. orbicularis oris, orbicularis oris muscle, located in the thickness of the lips around the oral fissure. With contraction of the peripheral part of m. orbicularis oris the lips tighten and move forward, as when kissing; when the part lying under the red border of the lips contracts, the lips, tightly approaching each other, are wrapped inward, as a result of which the red border is hidden. M. orbicularis oris, located around the mouth, performs the function of a sphincter (sphincter), i.e., a muscle that closes the opening of the mouth. In this regard, it is an antagonist to the radiar muscles of the mouth, i.e., the muscles that radiate from it and open the mouth (mm. levatores lab. sup. et anguli oris, depressores lab. infer, et anguli oris, etc.).

The muscles surrounding the oral fissure are divided into two groups: one of them is represented by the orbicularis oris muscle, m. orbicularis oris, the contraction of which narrows the oral fissure, the other - with muscles located radially in relation to the oral fissure, their contraction leads to its expansion.

1. Orbicularis oris muscle, m. orbicularis oris, is formed by circular muscle bundles located in the thickness of the lips. The muscle bundles are tightly fused with the skin. The superficial layers of this muscle include muscle bundles of muscles that approach the oral cavity. The muscle is distinguished between the marginal part, pars marginalis, and the labial part, pars labialis. Action: narrows the mouth opening and pulls the lips forward. Blood supply: aa. labiates, mentalis, infraorbitalis.
2. Zygomaticus major muscle, m. zygomaticus major, starts from the outer surface of the zygomatic bone. Some muscle bundles are a continuation of m. orbicularis oculi. Moving downward and medially, the zygomaticus muscle is woven into the orbicularis oris muscle and the skin of the corner of the mouth. Action: pulls the corner of the mouth upward and outward. Blood supply: aa. infraorbitalis, buccalis.
3. Zygomatic minor muscle, m. zygomaticus minor, starts from the anterior surface of the zygomatic bone. The medial bundles of this head are intertwined with the muscle bundles of m. orbicularis oculi.
4. Muscle levator labii superioris, m. levalor labii superioris, starts from margo infraorbitalis above foramen infraorbitale.
5. Muscle that lifts the upper lip and ala nasi, m. levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, located next to the previous one; starts from the base of the frontal process of the upper jaw. The last three muscles are directed downwards, converge somewhat and form a quadrangular muscle plate, which with its bundles is woven into the skin of the upper lip, partially into the m. orbicularis oris, as well as into the skin of the wing of the nose. Action: lifts the upper lip and tightens the wing of the nose. Blood supply: aa. infraorbitalis, labialis superior, angularis.
6. Levator anguli oris muscle, m. levator anguli oris, located deeper than the previous one. It begins below the foramen infraorbitale from fossa canina and, going down, is woven into the skin of the corner of the mouth and m. orbicularis oris.Action: pulls the corner of the mouth upward and outward. Blood supply: aa. infraorbitalis, buccalis.
7. Buccal muscle, m. buccinator, the muscle of trumpeters, begins from the crista buccinatoria mandibulae, the pterygomandibular suture of the raphe pterygomandibularis, as well as from the outer surface of the upper and lower jaws in the area of ​​the alveoli of the second large molars. Moving forward, the bundles of m. buccinator pass into the upper and lower lips, and are also woven into the skin of the lips, the corner of the mouth and the mucous membrane of the vestibule of the mouth. The fatty body of the cheek, corpus adiposum buccae, is adjacent to the outer surface of the muscle, and the mucous membrane of the vestibule of the mouth is adjacent to the inner surface. At the level of the anterior edge of the masticatory muscle, m. masseter, the middle sections of the buccal muscle are pierced by the excretory duct of the parotid gland, ductus parotideus. Action: pulls the corner of the mouth to the side, with bilateral contraction, stretches the oral fissure, presses the inner surface of the cheeks to the teeth. Blood supply: a. buccalis.
8. Laughter muscle, m. risorius, inconstant, is partly a continuation of the fascicles of platysma; Some of the muscle bundles originate from the chewing fascia, fascia masseterica, and the skin of the nasolabial fold area. Heading to the medial side, the muscle bundles m. risorius are woven into the skin of the corner of the mouth. Action: pulls the corner of the mouth to the lateral side. Blood supply: aa. facialis, transversa faciei, buccalis, infraorbitalis.
9. Muscle depressor anguli oris, m. depressor anguli oris, begins with a wide base from the anterior surface of the lower jaw, below the mental foramen. Heading upward, the muscle narrows, reaches the corner of the mouth, where part of the tufts are woven into its skin, and partly into the thickness of the upper lip and m. levator anguli oris. Action: pulls the corner of the mouth downwards and outwards. Blood supply: aa. labialis inferior, mentalis, submentalis.
10. Muscle depressing the lower lip, m. depressor labii inferioris, somewhat covered by the previous one. It starts from the front surface of the lower jaw, above the beginning of the previous muscle, anterior to the foramen mentale, goes up and is woven into the skin of the lower lip and chin. Medial muscle bundles at the bottom

The human face is the most complex, highly developed and effective means of communication that has ever existed. Its functions have been perfected by millions of years of evolution. When we feel joy or sadness, when we are afraid or surprised, our facial muscles contract and relax with absolute precision and in perfect harmony. They convey our emotional message to the world around us. Just one smile can tell us more than a thousand words.

“I want my smile back!”. This is the most important desire of everyone who has suffered neuritis of the facial nerve and has not fully recovered. In order for us to smile sincerely, the extremely precisely coordinated work of many facial muscles is required. For those who have not fully recovered from Bell's palsy, this can sometimes be an overwhelming task.

Let's take a closer look at our facial muscles, their names, purpose and functions. This knowledge will be useful when we discuss the causes of facial muscle contractures, asymmetry and facial expressions and the formation of pathological synkinesis. This is also important for a deep understanding of the essence and effectiveness of modern restoration methods. Try to find all the facial muscles in the diagram and imagine what happens when they contract and relax, as well as what facial expressions are formed.

Synergists and antagonists. Muscles that “help” each other in producing any movement are called synergists. Muscles that produce movements in opposite directions are called antagonists.

Frontalis muscle (m. frontalis) – raises the eyebrows and forms horizontal folds in the forehead when we are surprised.

Orbicularis oculi muscle (m. orbicularis oculi) – lowers the upper and raises the lower eyelid, closes the eye. This muscle and the frontalis muscle are antagonists. Try raising your eyebrow, holding it with your finger, and then closing your eye. It's difficult, isn't it?

Muscle of the proud (m. procerus) – moves the eyebrows down and towards each other (frowning) and forms vertical folds at the bridge of the nose.

Corrugator muscle (m. corrugator superclii) – moves his eyebrows together.

Zygomatic major and minor muscles (m. zygomaticus major et minor) – pull the corners of the mouth up and out when smiling. A nasolabial fold and “smile lines” are formed near the corners of the mouth.

Laughter muscle (m. risorius) – stretches the corners of the mouth outward and forms “dimples” on the cheeks when smiling. This muscle is not active in all people.

Depressor anguli oris muscle (m. depressor anguli oris) – as the name suggests, it pulls the corners of the mouth downwards. Activated by most negative emotions.

Orbicularis oris muscle (m. orbicularis oris) – pulls the lips forward, compresses the lips and moves the corners of the mouth towards the midline. Due to the increased activity of this muscle, vertical lip folds, the so-called “smoker's wrinkles,” form with age.

The zygomatic muscles and the laughter muscle are antagonists of the orbicularis oris muscle and the depressor anguli oris muscle.

Levator labii superioris and depressor labii inferioris (m.levator labii superioris et m.depressor labii inferioris) – raises the upper and lowers the lower lip. Antagonists of the orbicularis oris muscle.

Mentalis muscle (m. mentalis) – raises the chin when experiencing emotions of disappointment, doubt and some other negative emotions.

Superficial neck muscle (m.platysma) – activated by fear, disgust and some other negative emotions.

"Downward skewed", asymmetrical smile after unrepaired Bell's palsy(facial neuritis) occurs when a muscle is involuntarily activated when trying to smile lowering the corner of the mouth. This muscle is an antagonist zygomatic muscles And laughter muscles(smile groups). In the struggle of these antagonists, the former often defeats the latter, since she is larger and stronger. As a result, the corner of the mouth on the affected side often “looks down” instead of “looking up” as it should in a natural smile. Often, as a result of this confrontation between muscles, several dimples form on the chin, which enhance the visual asymmetry of facial expressions.

Pathological synkinesis is another common complication unrepaired neuritis of the facial nerve. There are several opinions about the causes of pathological synkinesis in unrepaired neuritis of the facial nerve. The most common is the theory " aberrant regeneration“, or, more simply put, the “incorrect” growth of the regenerating branches of the facial nerve and their connection to “not their own” facial muscles. The logical consequence of this theory is the conclusion about the irreversibility of pathological synkinesis.

The results of extensive scientific research carried out in the clinicCrystal Touchdemonstrated that, with the exception of a very small number of isolated traumatic and iatrogenic cases, pathological synkinesis after peripheral neuritis of the facial nerve have other causes. These reasons lie in the sphere of higher nervous activity, and have the character of a spontaneously formed conditioned reflex, which in turn leads to the formation of a pathological facial motor stereotype. The recovery results of numerous patients at the Crystal Touch Clinic 5, 10 and even 25 years after Bell's palsy provide convincing evidence that PATHOLOGICAL SYNKINESIA – REVERSIBLE.

Crystal Touch Clinic presented results of their research at the World Congress on Neuro-Rehabilitation in Philadelphia (USA) May 10-13, 2016.

— Alexey Pashov

Crystal Touch Bell's Palsy Clinic

Lips give us a lot of trouble. The circular muscle, which encircles the oral cavity in a ring, is not attached to any bone, but more than a dozen other muscles are woven into it. This “floating” position of the orbicularis oris muscle allows us to articulate and express emotions, but it is also a provoking factor for wrinkles. Especially if you have bad facial habits (pursing your lips) or everyday habits (smoking, drinking a cocktail through a straw).

Orbicularis oris:

Over time, the orbicularis oris muscle shrinks and decreases in size - and as a result, the red border of the lips decreases, the lips themselves become narrow, and purse-string wrinkles form around them (just across the muscle fibers).
Our task is to strengthen the orbicularis oris muscle, improve its blood circulation and nutrition, then the result will be smoothing of the skin. An exercise that I call “Proboscis” copes well with this task - because in it the lips are pulled forward with a wide proboscis.

But first, warm up!

Warm up for lips

1. Holding the corners of your lips with your fingers (to prevent wrinkles from forming), wrap your lips over your teeth and pat your lips. From 10 to 20 times.
2. Without removing your fingers, make an open “O” with your lips, then an open “E”. While articulating strongly, silently pronounce O-E. From 10 to 20 times.
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Strengthening the orbicularis oris muscle: exercise “Proboscis”

Initial position: sitting or standing, the spine is straightened as in the “String” exercise. The muscles of the cranial vault are pulled back and upward. Tighten your lips and extend them with a wide “proboscis”. Place the fingers of both hands on your lips: index fingers on the top, thumbs on the bottom (photo on the left).

Performance: We “press” our fingers into the area around the mouth, directing the movement strictly perpendicular to the teeth, causing the lips to turn out slightly and separate from the teeth (photo on the right).
Start with 10 pressures, pause for 10 seconds. and press again ten times. Gradually increase the number of presses and bring them to 20 in each approach.

Important! Do not relax the tension of your lips - when pressing, your lips should maintain the shape of a ring. If they have lost this shape and are almost closed, this means that you have relaxed the muscle tension. Tighten your lips again and restore shape.

Safety precautions: When stretching your lips, do not make a “chicken tail” out of them, form a wide ring, making sure that wrinkles do not form on the upper lip. The fingers make short, strong movements strictly perpendicular to the plane of the teeth, without displacing the skin.

If something doesn't work out for you, start with a simplified version of the exercise.

A simplified version of the “Proboscis” exercise

Performance: Tighten your lips and stretch them out with a wide “proboscis”, as if you want to “stick” to the mirror with the inner surface of your lips. Hold your lips tense for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat. Start with 5 repetitions, gradually increase to 10.

Relaxation: after performing the exercise, blow through relaxed lips with the sound “Pffff”, as if blowing away an invisible fluff. Do a finger shower for the area around the lips.
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And very important advice! We often unconsciously purse our lips, which causes the appearance and deepening of wrinkles around the mouth. Make it a rule to “keep your mouth shut”: when you are not speaking, raise the tip of your tongue to the upper palate and place it behind your upper teeth on your gums. You will feel that it is almost impossible to tense your lips in this position. And your face will immediately appear softer and younger.

Good luck!

Yulia Zartayskaya, your face culture instructor